Space, the Final Frontier
“Through their narratives, alien movies critique and examine our social structures, prompting viewers and creators in various entertainment sectors to reflect on how we interact with the 'other.' By envisioning new possibilities for societal evolution, these films have left a lasting impact on the creative landscape, inspiring the inclusion of extraterrestrial elements in movies and games, among other creative backdrops” (Scifeid). While the depiction of extra-terrestrial life in media has expanded our creative landscape, it may also be having an indirect negative impact on space exploration by lowering public opinion on the topic.
Generally speaking, if people are frightened, they will avoid the thing that scares them. It's a basic principle of human psychology that helps to keep us alive. Regarding extraterrestrial portrayal in the media, when we experience an extremely scary situation involving aliens, we may start to associate that situation to space exploration. For example, Orson Welles' radio broadcast in the late 1930s, War of the Worlds, led to mass panic nationwide over an alien invasion that the public believed to be real. After experiencing this broadcast, even after it was made public that it was part of a dramatization, the people’s general attitude was one of fear of an alien attack. While entertaining, the radio broadcast induced a continuing sense of fear within our culture that still impacts people to this day. Other examples include the movie franchise “Alien”. This movie portrays aliens as beastly creatures whose only goal in life is to aggressively exterminate other life forms while expanding their own population in what most humans would consider the most grotesque and hideous manner possible. I dare say that anyone who has ever watched the film can easily recall every graphic detail of a specific scene or two that evokes fear, anxiety, and gruesome brutality. Again, while entertaining, having a lasting impact on the way society views aliens. Another common form of entertainment in this same vein is UFO documentaries. They sound crazy, have very little credibility behind them, and are difficult to receive as any fraction of truth. In contrast to NASA or the Planetary Society presenting facts, when presented with information we deem awkward or embarrassing, we typically question why we would invest our money in these things.
Other movies and television programs are a combination of positive and negative. For example, Dr. Who, Interstellar, and Men in Black all have frightening elements, such as Boris the Animal or the Weeping Angels, but contain some redeeming quality and are not necessarily portrayed as completely negative. They are also not portrayed as completely positive either. Their containing scary situations or elements may make one question whether or not space travel is a thing to be pursued when considering the risks of encountering alien life forms. By the end of the movies, things usually work out fine…they’re hopeful and positive, but that uncertainty and negative scenario leading up to the conclusion, however, may lead people to question whether space exploration is positive or negative, and, when faced with this confusion, likely leads to inaction. In this regard, even positive films and programs could lead to a negative public sentiment about space exploration.
Of course, on the other side of that spectrum in media are programs such as Star Trek or ET. These are extremely well-received and are positive portrayals of alien life or, in the case of Star Trek, space exploration. Having been a big fan of the series since childhood, Star Trek has always inspired me to want to go into space and learn all we can about what we don't already know. It turns our eyes to the unknown in a much more positive light.
So, while there are generally some positive impacts of alien life in media, as it relates to space exploration, it is pushed towards a more negative or neutral category. The media has a huge impact on public perception and the decisions we make related to a topic or on whether or not to pursue something. If movies, games, and TV portray extraterrestrials as something evil, dangerous, or bad, we will have a hard time finding a reason to explore space in fear of what we might find. This negative public perception may lead to us not wanting to spend the funds needed for space travel, therefore limiting how far we can go with the advancement of our technology. While UFO movies ask us ethical and moral questions, challenge our fear of the unknown, give us new perspectives on technology, and introduce us to new possibilities, they may also be negatively impacting the future of space exploration.
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